Local organizations were mobilizing Monday to help in the wake of deadly earthquake in the central part of Italy.

The magnitude-6.3 quake, the largest in nearly three decades, struck early this morning about 70 miles northeast of Rome in a town called L'Aquila.

A state of emergency has was declared in the country. Local authorities said on Monday more than 150 people were pronounced died and that the number of fatalities could rise.

As many as 14,000 buildings were said to be either damaged or destroyed, leaving tens of thousands homeless. Some 1,500 people were injured.

The city's Italian-American community says the central Abruzzo region is prone to earthquakes, and that the destruction could match previous major quakes in 1980 and 2002.

"You can't get in touch with any family members," said Anthony Sacramone of Astoria, Queens, who has 40 relatives in the affected region. "My mother's pretty worried. I have an elderly aunt and uncle who live with us, they have a lot of family over there, and they're worried sick."

"The towns there are very old towns, medieval towns. These are old Roman cities, they're not equipped to handle earthquakes," said Maria Fosco of Queens College.

The Columbus Citizens Foundation, which organizes the New York City Columbus Day Parade, called on people to offer contributions and assistance to the thousands left homeless by the quake.

The foundation's president said humanitarian assistance will be provided once the needs of the people of Abruzzo are determined.

The Italian-American Museum is also accepting monetary donations to help the victims.

"They will be devastated. The housing will not hold up. We know that people will be homeless as they were in 1980," said Dr. Joseph Scelsa, the museum's president. "I worked on the relief fund with Mario Cuomo at the time when he was lieutenant governor. We sent aid over to Italy and we know we're going to have to do that again."

Checks should be made out to IAM EARTHQUAKE RELIEF FUND 2009. Checks can be dropped off or mailed to the museum in Little Italy at 155 Mulberry Street, New York, New York 10013.

Donations can also be made online at ItalianAmericanMuseum.org.

Call 311 for more information on other organizations accepting donations.